American Sign Language Interpreter Training

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*The picture & story of these beautiful women have been posted only after family approval.

Amy Jo Candland

August 1, 1968 - February 21, 2010

Amy Jo was a kind and industrious lady. She often worked two or three jobs at a time to support herself. When her nephew needed a place to live she allowed him to stay in her home. As repayment, he took her from those who loved her. A friend stated that "heaven just got another wonderful angel", and indeed it did, but it doesn't change the fact that her loved ones now live without her. After many incidents of emotional and verbal abuse, her own nephew brutally raped, beat and strangled Amy Jo then left her body thrown next to a dumpster. Domestic violence and sexual assault is no respecter of persons and it is appalling that her nephew tortured his beautiful aunt who opened her home to him. Hopefully, this will be his last victim as he was sentenced to life in prison.

Amy Jo was hard of hearing and her sister in law, Laurie-Watts Candland is an ASL interpreter and dear friend of mine. She now volunteers her time to support other Deaf and hard of hearing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Maralee Ann Andreason

September 10, 1954-March 9, 2010

Maralee was stabbed and brutally beaten to death on March 9, 2010 by her live-in boyfriend who had a history of domestic violence against her, as well as other women.

He was labeled an “extremely high-risk abuser” and not only killed Maralee but sat and watched her die before calmly calling a family member to report he had killed her. Her killer was convicted of 1st Degree Felony Murder and Felony Posession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person in July 2011. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for murder, a first-degree felony, to be followed by a consecutive sentence of zero to five years for possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony. Maralee left behind two sons and four grandchildren.

Her sister, who is Deaf, Lisa Sealey, writes:

Maralee, You were a GREAT sister to me, and accepted my deafness. You were always there for me. I will always cherish the memories we had together even though we didn't always see eye to eye. You were GREAT listener and you opened your door to anyone who needed a friend.

Love you always,Lisa

*Domestic Violence MUST END NOW!!!

Penny Williams

October 20, 1966-September 14, 1999

Just days after being granted a protective order, Penny Williams was shot by her estranged husband who then turned the gun on himself.

The murder-suicide was the culmination of many violent incidents, and the end to a five hour standoff with police where he held Penny hostage at her own apartment in the bathroom.

Both Penny and her assailant were Deaf, and communication became a major barrier throughout the standoff with police. Though Penny had struggled at various times in her life with substance abuse, she had become a beacon to many in the Deaf community when she overcame her addiction and became a top scholar at the University of Utah. Her death was not in vain. It was the catalyst that inspired members of the Deaf community to begin talking about domestic violence and inspired the creation of Sego Lily Center for the Abused Deaf (SLCAD) where Deaf advocates, counselors and professionals provide services to Deaf survivors and train the community at large on the intricacies of working with Deaf survivors.